- No potting soil needed
- Can be attractively displayed in glass globes
- Low-maintenance
Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created independently from TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it.
Indoor plants are a great way to liven up a window sill, desk, or corner of a room. I love having them on my home office desk, in the kitchen, and everywhere in between. With the right care, some even bloom. If you’re thinking about getting indoor plants for the first time, or you want to add to a growing collection, read on to learn what plant experts that I consulted have to share.
An indoor plant’s needs are one of the most important factors when determining if it’s right for you. You’ll have to consider whether your space has the proper type of lighting (bright versus indirect) and the proper amount of lighting that a plant needs. For example, if a plant requires a minimum of 6 hours of south-facing sun, does your office or living space have that? Or if you’re often gone for weeks at a time, can your indoor plants tolerate that, or will you need to get a plant sitter?
You’ll need to evaluate how much space you have for a plant to grow. Some indoor plants start out small but can become large over time, like the Bird of Paradise, a shrub that can reach up to 6 feet tall indoors. Other plants, like miniature African Violets, stay endearingly small at a maximum diameter of about 6 inches.
If you have pets, you’ll want to research potential indoor plants to determine if they’re toxic. As a veterinarian, one of the reasons I wanted to write this article (besides that I love indoor plants) is to let people know that just because a plant is listed as non-toxic (or generally pet-safe) doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t cause any issues for your pet. Non-toxic means that a plant is not likely to be life-threatening, but some non-toxic plants can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and lethargy if eaten.
If you keep a toxic plant, keep it out of reach of pets (which can be challenging with cats and birds), and be mindful of clearing up dead leaves before they fall to the ground.
If you have birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, or other exotics, do additional research to ensure a cat/dog-safe plant is also safe for your pet. For example, the American rubber plant is on the ASPCA’s pet-friendly list for cats and dogs but rubber plants are toxic for birds and rabbits.
The air plant is my newest plant “pet,” and its glass globe looks great on my home office desk. “Air plants are a great choice for those with small spaces who want to add greenery to their decor. Since they don't require soil, you can display them anywhere that receives bright, indirect light,” says Katharine Wu, Founder of Plants for Pet Parents.They look great in wall hangers or amongst tabletop displays. Just mist them every few days and soak them thoroughly in water once every week or so, making sure to let them dry completely to avoid root rot.” You can encourage proper drying by gently shaking the plant after watering and then leaving it upside down to finish draining.
These fun plants are easy to care for and can be kept in attractive glass globes or hanging containers.
Get it here: Air Plant
As a former desert dweller, this is one of my favorite plants because of the succulent-like look of the leaves. Wu says, “Peperomias are the perfect indoor plant for beginners. As semi-succulents, they are hardy and don't require much to thrive. Just make sure they have well-draining soil and consistent indirect light, and be careful not to water too frequently (once a week max).”
This attractive trailing plant is a great option for beginners, and it’s generally pet safe.
Get it here: Peperomia ‘Hope’
This popular house plant looks great in a pot or hanging basket. Michelle Ahn, Founder of Oh the Places You’ll Grow, says, “The spider plant is known for its air-purifying capabilities. It can filter certain toxins from the air like carbon monoxide. These plants are incredibly easy to propagate because they grow "pups" or offshoots from the mother plant that can be removed and planted into its own pot as a new plant.” (They also made our list of the best plants for bedrooms.)
The easy-to-care-for spider plant is good for beginners and is known for its air-purifying abilities.
Get it here: Spider Plant
The smaller varieties of this tropical shrub can be kept indoors, and Ahn says, “This plant is a show stopper. Outdoors, they are recognizable for their beautiful, colorful flowers. While flowering is rare when grown indoors, their large leaves and tall stems make them a statement piece in any home. They are best suited for bright, sunny spots.”
The Bird of Paradise is a great tropical plant to keep indoors if you’re looking for a statement piece.
Get it here: Bird of Paradise
Aloe Vera, or Aloe barbadensis, is an easy desert plant to keep indoors if you have a spot that gets full sun (or very bright indirect light) for at least 6 hours a day. Ahn adds, “This plant has medicinal properties that are widely used to help with skin ailments like sunburn. They are also known to purify the air.”
Aloe Vera is a fun way to add desert decor to the sunny spots in your home.
Get it here: Aloe Vera
Like pets, plants are so Instagrammable. Ahn says, “This plant was once only seen in the homes of rare plant collectors and prized for their rarity and lofty price point. Now, many nurseries carry them at affordable prices, allowing this once unattainable plant to be a reality in many plant lovers' homes. Their stunning variegation resembles a starry constellation, and they share the characteristic split leaf pattern of all monsteras as they grow. The Thai Con is truly the photogenic ‘it’ plant of the moment.”
This beautiful, slower-growing plant makes a great Instagrammable addition to rooms with bright indirect light.
Get it here: Monstera Thai Constellation
Wu says, “Bathrooms are great environments for beautiful, but finicky, Calathea. They require humidity to replicate their tropical natural habitat, so your warm showers will also revitalize your plants. Calatheas are also fun to observe throughout the day because their leaves fold down in the daytime and fold up at night. Indirect light, well-draining soil, and filtered water will keep your Calathea happy.”
If you’re well-versed in plant care, the Calathea ‘Pinstripe’ can make a nice addition to your bathroom.
Get it here: Calathea ‘Pinstripe’
During my undergraduate days at the University of Arizona, there was a restaurant in the student union called The Fiddlee Fig. I only recently realized it’s a play on words for this West African jungle plant. Ahn says, “This ficus is a classic indoor houseplant known for their shiny, wide leaves that are reminiscent of a fiddle. These elegant-looking plants thrive in sunnier locations.” Like Arizona! However, they prefer indoor temperatures between 65 F and 75 F to thrive.
With its lyre-shaped leaves, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig tree adds a large pop of green to bright indoor spaces.
Get it here: Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Some living spaces, like apartments, don’t have windows facing every direction, which can make certain plants more challenging to keep. However the ZZ plant is fairly flexible with its lighting needs. Ahn says, “While this plant is tolerant of low light, like all houseplants, it will thrive in brighter locations. Its glossy, dark green foliage resembles feathers. They are highly adaptable because they tolerate neglect and survive with infrequent watering.”
The highly adaptable, low-maintenance ZZ plant is great for rooms with less light, but it will thrive if more light is available.
Get it here: ZZ Plant
If you travel frequently and don’t have a plant-sitter or you have a low-light living space or office, Ahn says, “This beautiful plant is exceptionally resilient and can thrive in low-light conditions. Its succulent-like leaves store water, allowing them to withstand periods of drought. Their hardiness makes them suitable for beginner plant parents.”
The Snake Plant is a low-maintenance way to add pops of green to indoor spaces.
Get it here: Snake Plant
Lavender isn’t just for outdoors. Ahn says, “Lavender plants can be grown indoors and produce a subtle, soothing fragrance associated with relaxation.” You can do lots of things with this plant, such as drying it for arrangements, making lavender-infused massage oil, or making soaps, creams, and bath salts.
To have fragrant, year-round blooms, add lavender to your indoor collection of plants.
Get it here: Lavender
Watering and maintaining indoor plants depends on the plant. There are a few ways to water and some plants prefer one way over others. Travis Thein, founder and owner of Sol Soils adds that watering is not so much about quantity but about frequency, and letting the medium dry at least a bit between waterings so the roots can take in oxygen as they need. Thein also notes the importance of using quality soil that drains well and contains proper conditioners that retain and slow-release water—which can mean less frequent watering. (More on soil later.)
Submerging can mean submerging the plant or submerging the pot. With air plants, you’ll want to fully submerge the plant in water. For cacti, submerging the pot is a great way to water it. When it rains in the desert, it can actually flood, so submerging might sound unusual—except it’s not.
Bottom watering is when you place a pot in a shallow tray of water and allow the water to absorb. How long will depend on the size of the container. If you’re watering an African Violet or Fiddle-Leaf Fig, bottom watering is ideal to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can discolor them.
Watering a plant from the top is an option but there’s the potential of underwatering it. Thein says, “No plant I’m aware of wants a tiny bit of water.” With top watering, make sure water freely runs out the bottom. He adds, “Adequate drainage holes are key to avoiding watering mishaps.”
Removing dust from plants once a month can help maximize their light exposure. For plants with smooth leaves, a damp towel or paper towel works well. For fuzzy leaves, cacti, or plants with tiny leaves, a paintbrush is great. For plants who don’t mind their leaves getting wet, rinsing in the sink—or bathtub for larger plants—is an option. When wiping leaves or brushing them, support the back of the leaf with your hand.
Indoor plants have the ability to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air to varying degrees. Exposure to VOCs like formaldehyde can come from various sources such as certain plastics, building materials like plywood, resins in wood-based products, tobacco smoke, and gas appliances, to name a few. However, if you have one spider plant, don’t expect it to take the place of an air purifier. It’s important to consider that your indoor plant collection may not be similar to the environment and conditions of scientific studies where plants are clearing VOCs in enclosed chambers.
That said, soil in potted plants has been shown to be generally more effective than some plants like Boston Fern and Peace Lily at reducing formaldehyde levels in the air. The same study also showed that Peace Lilies are adept at removing VOCs and carbon dioxide. However a plant’s ability to reduce VOCs can be affected by various factors, including temperature and humidity.
It’s been discovered that Money Tree plants and Leopard Lilies have the ability to reduce the amount of indoor airborne particulate matter. And Golden Pothos has the ability to reduce indoor ozone but at less than 10%, the amount is quite modest.
Though not specifically a benefit of the potted plant, lavender essential oil has been shown to improve sleep quality, specifically promoting slow-wave sleep or deep sleep. Deep sleep has been demonstrated to be important to health in various ways, such as tissue repair, memory, immunity, and glucose metabolism.
Working with indoor plants has also been shown to reduce psychological and physiological stress in young adults and increase concentration in elementary school kids. Indoor plants can reduce blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate while improving cognition, specifically academic achievement. It’s also been discovered that plants can improve satisfaction with indoor work environments.
I consulted three experts in the plant industry for recommendations on indoor plants, information on soil and soil amendments (e.g. perlite, pumice, calcined clay), light requirements, and watering.
The plants in this article provide shoppers with a variety of options when it comes to watering, space, and lighting. Some plants on this list need less space, light, and watering, while others require more for plant owners who like a more hands-on experience.
In addition to my years of experience owning cacti, succulents, Peperomia, and orchids, I researched studies on the health benefits of indoor plants. As a veterinarian, I also wanted to provide people with information on plants that are and aren’t safe while clarifying that “non-toxic” doesn’t necessarily mean a pet won’t have any issues if they ingest the plant.
“Purify” is a broad term. Keeping in mind that your houseplant situation is unlikely to the same controlled environment and conditions of the scientific studies cited above, English Ivy, Janet Craig, Peace Lily, Marginata, and Golden Pothos are some of the indoor plants adept at reducing benzene in the air, while spider plants are able to reduce formaldehyde levels in the air. Money Tree plants and leopard lilies have been shown to reduce indoor airborne particulate matter. Golden Pothos has a modest ability to reduce indoor ozone.
If you don’t want to deal with soil, some of the cleanest indoor plants are air plants, orchids, and Lucky Bamboo. Orchids, however, require substrate such as sphagnum moss or bark, depending on the species. “Paddle” style air plants also prefer an orchid bark mix. The lucky bamboo will grow in a container with water, but if the container doesn’t keep the plant upright (which it prefers), use pebbles or stones.
At some point, your indoor plants will need to be repotted, even if they haven’t outgrown their container. This is because soil eventually becomes depleted of nutrients. It’s best to do this in spring during the growth season instead of during fall and winter when temperatures are cooler, making recovery longer.
If your plant has outgrown its container, you may notice roots coming out the drainage holes or roots emerging from the top of the soil, lack of growth (though this can be for a variety of reasons), poor soil quality resulting in repeatedly dry soil and an increased need for watering, or the plant is sinking in the container from the soil compacting down.
Here’s a guide to repotting indoor plants:
Different plants have different soil needs, so it’s not one size fits all. However, Thein emphasizes that a well-draining soil is key. He notes that a lot of plants are sold in soil that works well for ideal conditions like that of a greenhouse. These soils typically consist predominantly of peat moss, which can absorb and hold onto too much water for indoor conditions. If this happens for a prolonged period, and the root system isn’t able to breathe effectively, root rot can set in. Soggy peat moss also gives pests ideal conditions to thrive. On the flip side, peat-based soils can become hydrophobic when dry and not allow the soil to readily re-wet any longer.
Thein says the ideal soil is made up of components that “pull in water and keep that moisture available for the plant to use as they need.” A quality soil contains conditioners, like calcined clay or pumice, which slowly release the water and nutrients from fertilizing. He adds that calcined clay is a baked clay that is porous and won’t break down and suffocate plant roots. You can even make your own custom soil mix by adding in components like perlite, calcined clay, pumice, or lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA).
Air plants are great for small living spaces and can also work as office plants. If you don’t have a desk, shelf, or sill to place it, air plants can also be kept in hanging containers.
Orchids are another option because they don’t take up much space and are slow-growing, producing only one to three new leaves a year. Their sphagnum moss or bark substrate also tends to make them cleaner to keep. If you’re new to orchids, avoid window sills because the temperature range can be too extreme and your orchid can get too hot or too cold. Orchids prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 F and bright indirect light.
If you have dark rooms, however, Ahns says, “Snake and ZZ plants are tolerant of low light conditions, but it is important to note that while these plants can tolerate low light, that does not mean no light. They are both very adaptable plants with minimal watering needs. However, like all houseplants, they will thrive and grow faster when placed in brighter light.”
Wu says, “Peperomias and Calathea are both [generally] pet-friendly options that offer a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors. Another personal favorite is the Money Tree because it is low maintenance and makes a great gift. The belief is that they bring good fortune to the recipient, so they're the perfect housewarming or birthday present for pet parents.”
Other indoor plants that are generally cat/dog safe are African Violets, Mother of Pearl succulent, and Lemon Button ferns. It’s good to keep in mind that non-toxic plants can still cause digestive upset or other symptoms if eaten in large enough amounts.
The information presented here is created independently from the TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About page.